The other women -- Zooey Deschanel of "New Girl," Amy Poehler of "Parks and Recreation" and Allison Williams of "Girls" -- grace their covers in color and in the mag's more traditional three-quarter poses.

The magazine, which sparked a similar firestorm when it put a glamorous Melissa McCarthy on its cover in a long, $3,000 cashmere coat, obscuring her not-a-size-zero physique, was standing by its decision. (McCarthy, incidentally, told Jay Leno that she picked out the coat herself during the shoot.)

"Mindy looks sexy, beautiful and chic," Elle said in a statement. "We think it is a striking and sophisticated cover and are thrilled to celebrate her in our Women in TV Issue."

Kaling also tweeted about where the "pervs" who wanted to see more of her body could do just that: on her show Tuesday night.